Sports bars still planning for influx of football fans

HUNTSVILLE, AL. -- If you can get there, they'll be there. That was the early plan for many local establishments serving up food, drink and the national championship game tonight.

Associated PressWorkers apply BCS logo to end zone at University of Phoenix Stadium

After all, sports fans make the U.S. Postal Service look downright wimpy when it comes to rain, snow and gloom of night.

So despite the threatening weather, the usual suspects - places like Buffalo Wild Wings, Baumhower's, Knuckleheads and Hooters - planned as of Sunday evening to be open and serving fans eager to watch the Auburn-Oregon game, though staff at those establishments cautioned plans would be subject to change.

Auburn is seeking its first national football title since 1957 as the Tigers (13-0) face Oregon (13-0) in Glendale, Ariz., tonight in the Bowl Championship Series title game.

The game will be televised on ESPN at 7:30 p.m.

Auburn is seeking to match what Alabama accomplished last January in Pasadena, Calif., and to become the fifth consecutive Southeastern Conference team to win a national title.

The Tigers, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton, are a 21/2-point favorite. Both teams have exhibited explosive offense and most believe it should be a high-scoring, wide-open game.

For those fans not willing to venture out to sports bars, as the storm may keep them surrounded by the comforts of home, there are other options - including some heads-up clever shopping options.

Some fans have bought insurance policies for tonight: battery-operated televisions or generators. Lowe's had sold out of generators by Sunday morning, some of those reportedly to those who want to assure there is power for their TVs.

And there are plenty of big new televisions out there, according to Edwin Smith of Best Buy, who said, "We've sold a lot of televisions lately to people wanting to watch the game." Smith said there haven't been many inquiries about battery-operated TVs - if power goes out, cable might well be a casualty, too - though other stores report brisk sales.

The biggest new TV won't be watched, however. Auburn had planned a viewing party on campus at the new Auburn Arena, but the snow forced cancellation of classes today as well as the viewing party.